SPEAKOUT

Minimum-wage suggestion

ONCE AGAIN controversy surrounds the possible increase in minimum wage. There's been no increase in minimum wage since 1991. In this period of time, the government cost of living index has gone up about 3 percent each year for a total of 12 percent. The $4.25 minimum wage multiplied by 12 percent shows the wage should be increased by 50 cents an hour to $4.75. This wage should be tied to the same annual percentage increase in cost of living as is done for Social Security, supplemental Social Security, veterans' pensions and government retirement pensions. If this were done, there would be small annual increases instead of a higher increase at one time. This would have less of an economic impact.

Business promotes Easter

I WOULD like to thank Sunny Hill Gardens for having the cross up the past few weeks. The beautiful cross during Passion Week with a purple drape was really pretty, and I just loved it. We need more things like that to think of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the white drape for Easter when he was risen from the dead is really nice. If more businesses would do that, I would appreciate it.

Advice to patients

WE WORK in the insurance office of a major medical office in Cape. The insurance department is here to assist patients with their insurance questions, and we are very polite and helpful. Our biggest pet peeve is when a patient comes in, we say "Can I help you?" they say "I hope so" or "I don't know if you can or not." This is very rude and inconsiderate. If you are one of these people who make this comment, please respect us. We can help you.

Ashcroft for veep

YOU KNOW, I think a good man for Dole's running mate would be our own native son, Sen. John Ashcroft. He has had a very good record, he's been our attorney general, he is a two-time governor, now a U.S. senator, and he's a very intelligent man. I would highly recommend him and would suggest that Sen. Dole seek him for his running mate as vice president. Because I have seen him a lot of times, and he can express his views very intelligently and he's got a broad mind and he would make a very good president if need be. I recommend him to be Sen. Dole's running mate.

Do we really need it?

I'VE A question. Why do we need a new federal courthouse in the first place? What's wrong with the old one? My opinion, is keep the federal government at arms' length as long as we can.

Veto disappointment

WHO WILL protect us? Our own president has no respect for life. I felt like crying when I heard that he had vetoed a partial-birth abortion ban. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that sticking a catheter in the back of a baby's neck when it is fully delivered except for the head and sucking out the brain tissue is disgusting and sick. Yes, this baby is alive and this baby is kicking, and anyone who could possibly support this is not in his right mind.

Dangers in Russia

I JUST read one of the former Soviet Union's big provinces has signed an agreement with Russia, and they are going to merge again, and two other of the provinces of the former Soviet Union have also done this. That makes four of them as a starter. They've headed back towards communism, Soviet Union style. One banker said he's liquidating his Russian holdings so he can make a quick getaway. The other people are learning how to flee. The elite over there say that Russia is so bad, and if things get worse, you'll have to get us out of here. Most Russians, including the wealthy ones, are seriously worried. Many times, they say, the communists will turn back the clock on democratic and free-market reforms. The communist leader who just won a parliamentary election says private business would make Russia a more stable, profitable place. But he goes to other groups and says he's going to turn away the free market and become anti-Western and they're going to return state subsidies to state control. I think with all of this going on, I think the United States is stupid to continue to pour money and billions of dollars in Russia supposedly to strengthen it so they would have freedom over there.

Way to go, Delta

CONGRATULATIONS TO the Delta Lady Bobcats softball team on its victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday. The score was 9-6. Once again, congratulations Delta.

Too young to fly

I DON'T think they should allow 7-year-old children to fly airplanes. If you can't drive a car until you're 16, you shouldn't be able to fly an airplane when you're 7. Where is the FAA? What are they thinking?